Tag Archives: 3Leaf Edibles

Ratio Products: The Balance You’ve Been Looking For

Balance. It’s something we all strive for, and we make choices every day that tip the scales one way or the other. Things like deciding whether to stay late at the office, or leave early to make it home for dinner with the family; to sit at your desk to get through emails or take 30 minutes to get a workout in; to choose the buttery scone or bowl of oats to go with your latte order. It’s all a part of the human experience, something we’re all trying to navigate.

If you are suffering from decision fatigue, one less thing you have to worry about is choosing between THC and CBD. Ratio products offer a combination of the two, and have become increasingly popular with those who want to experience the benefits of both cannabinoids for what many call a balanced cannabis experience. If you’re curious about the effects of ratio products, read on to gain a basic understanding of the two most popular cannabinoids and what you can expect when consuming them together.

Wait, you keep using the word cannabinoid. What is that?

Cannabinoids are a class of chemical compounds that produce a diverse range of healing and therapeutic effects. There are two types of cannabinoids: endocannabinoids are naturally produced within the human body and phytocannabinoids are found within the trichomes of the cannabis plant.

A cannabis bud covered in trichomes. A close-up of a trichome.

Images by Cornerstone Collective.

Both phyto- and endocannabinoids work with receptors in our endocannabinoid system (ECS). which plays a key role in maintaining homeostasis within our body.

The ECS works to balance the effects of both internal and external stressors, and it would not be able to do so without the help of cannabinoids.

The two most commonly recognized receptors in the ECS are CB1 and CB2. CB1 receptors are predominantly found in the central nervous system and peripheral organs, and CB2 receptors are primarily located in the immune system.

Now let’s take a look at two of the most commonly recognized cannabinoids and the effects they produce before we learn how they work together.

Tetrahydrocannabinol – more than a means to an elevated state of being.

Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is known for its elevating and uplifting effects, commonly referred to as a high. THC is typically associated with recreational cannabis use because of the feelings of euphoria that it’s able to produce. But its medicinal properties should not be overlooked.

Research shows that THC can act as an effective antidepressant. A low-dose can elevate mood and calm anxiety, and is proven to be useful in treating post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), as well as severe depression and anxiety. In one particular study, THC showed significant antidepressant like effects when the participants consumed a dose of 2.5 mg – a micro-dose by community standards.

Not only can THC improve our mental-state, it’s also known to treat various physical ailments and issues. It offers relief from chronic pain, acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory – helpful for those with arthritis – and is proven to alleviate nausea and vomiting – often a side-effect of chemotherapy treatment.

It’s important to note that THC is a powerful psychoactive stimulant that can produce intoxicating effects, which can be disorienting and sometimes unpleasant. To avoid any adverse effects, start with a micro- or low-dose of THC, and if you choose to increase the dose, do it slowly. Wait at least two hours before consuming more, especially with edibles as it takes longer to feel the effects.

Another way to mitigate the chance of feeling over-stimulated from THC is to incorporate CBD into your consumption method.

Cannabidiol – healing, therapeutic, and so much more.

Cannabidiol (CBD) is appealing to many because it produces a myriad of healing and medicinal effects, but is non-intoxicating. If you want to avoid feeling high, CBD is a great option for you.

After consuming CBD, you will typically feel more relaxed and less tense.

In a study from HelloMD, 80 percent of respondents said that they found CBD to be an effective form of treatment. Those who participated in the study used CBD most commonly for insomnia, depression, anxiety, and joint pain. CBD is also proven to effectively treat such issues as: epileptic seizures, muscle convulsions and spasms, psoriasis and eczema, and inflammation.

CBD has become increasingly popular amongst those who are physically active. After a workout, a dose of CBD will help relieve aches and pains and keep your muscles from tensing up. And, since CBD is non-intoxicating, you can feel great about consuming after your early-morning workout before you head into the office. The CBD will allow your body to feel relaxed while allowing your mind to feel clear- the perfect combination for tackling the day ahead.

Better together: when THC and CBD are combined.

The harmonious combination of THC and CBD produces a unique set of benefits that cannot be achieved when consumed on their own.

Because of the way in which CBD interacts with our ECS receptors, CBD tends to elevate the positive effects of THC while minimizing the negative. By inhibiting THC’s ability to bind with our receptors, you are able to avoid any overstimulation, and instead achieve a more relaxed state-of-being. And, CBD actually slows down the breakdown of THC in the liver, therefore prolonging the medicinal effects of THC. It isn’t all one sided though. THC enhances the effects of CBD, because it binds more effectively with our CB1 receptors.

Ratio products are offered in different combinations, so you can choose from a variety of ratios to meet your specific needs:

Lower in THC and higher in CBD, i.e. 2.5 mg THC to 25 mg of CBD. This combination will allow you to enjoy the medicinal benefits of CBD with a mild psychoactive experience from the THC.
Equal parts THC and CBD, i.e. 5 mg of THC to 5 mg of CBD. Remember, the THC will elevate the healing effects of CBD, while the CBD will calm the elevating effects of THC. This allows for a relaxing, therapeutic experience.

We still have a long way to go in understanding the effects of both cannabinoids individually and collectively, but there is enough evidence to prove that the combination of the two are certainly effective. Both offer the benefits of alleviating chronic pain, minimizing anxiety, treating depression, and acting as an anti-inflammatory and sleep-aid. But when combined, the two are all the more powerful.

We are excited to share with you that 3Leaf will be releasing our line of Ratio Treats soon! Our Double Chocolate Cookie and Peanut Butter Cookie combine 5 mg of THC with 5 mg of CBD for a perfectly balanced cannabis experience. The various benefits of each cannabinoid listed above are contained in a delicious treat with zero cannabis taste. And yes, while these products are an indulgence on the decadent side, you can rest assured that we still use only the highest quality ingredients when crafting each premium edible. The big announcement of their release date is coming soon, so be sure to stay connected with us on Instagram and Facebook, and subscribe to our newsletter.

Your First Time? What to Know Before Talking to Your Budtender

What are you looking for?

When you visit a licensed cannabis retailer, this is typically what your budtender will ask you. Budtenders not only connect you with products, they are also a great source of knowledge. They can help you gain a better understanding of cannabis and its effects so that you leave with products that give you the experience you’re looking for.

Remember, budtenders understand that it can be intimidating the first time you visit a dispensary. But they are there to help you, not to judge you. And they will appreciate your honesty because it allows them to better provide you with a product that meets your needs.

To help your budtender help you, let’s run through some basics about cannabis.

CONSUMPTION METHODS

Flower

What was once known as pot is now referred to as flower. Retailers offer a much wider variety of products today, and pot became too vague a term. When you purchase flower you are purchasing the cannabis bud. Flower is most commonly consumed by smoking it in a joint, pipe, or bong. You can also purchase ready-to-consume joints, called pre-rolls. The effects of smoking flower can be felt within 10 to 20 minutes, and typically last one to three hours.

Vaporization

Also known as “vaping.” This is another inhalant consumption method, where consumers inhale a cannabis vapor or aerosol using a vape pen or vaporizer. These devices heat cannabis, either dry flower or cannabis extract, at a lower boiling point than a joint. Instead of producing smoke, vapes dispel water vapor. The effects can be felt within 15 minutes to half-an-hour, and last slightly longer than traditional smoking.

Edibles

Edibles are consumed orally and are offered in a variety of products: baked goods, candies, chocolate, gummies or fruit jellies, and beverages. You can even find cannabis infused granola and popcorn now. Some manufacturers infuse their products with flower, but the majority of edibles are made with cannabis concentrate. The effects of an edible takes longer to feel because it is metabolized through the liver and then processed through the blood-brain barrier, rather than directly through the brain as with smoking. For this reason, edibles are considered more effective and they last longer – up to eight hours. Remember, it can take between 40 and 60 minutes for you to feel the cannabis effects from an edible. So, start low and go slow.

Tinctures

Tinctures combine cannabis extract with a high-proof plant- or animal-based alcoholic extract. They are consumed sublingually – beneath the tongue. Some brands offer tinctures infused with ingestible essential oils. The effects of tinctures can be felt within 15 to 45 minutes, and they typically last longer than smoking but less than edibles.

Topicals

Lotions, balms, and oils infused with cannabis extract are a fairly new way to enjoy the medicinal benefits of cannabis. Topicals provide a non-psychoactive experience, and are effective in treating localized pain. The strength of their effects and how long they last varies between products.

Cannabinoids

It’s helpful to have a basic understanding of cannabinoids because they play a large role in producing the medicinal and therapeutic effects of cannabis. When you meet your budtender, they will show you various products, most of which contain tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and/or cannabidiol (CBD). These are the two most widely recognized cannabinoids.

Products with THC will provide a psychoactive effect. One of its main benefits is its ability to increase dopamine levels, which allows us to feel pleasure. But it’s medicinal properties should not be overlooked. A low dose of THC can help you manage anxiety – it provides what many recognize as the ability to “get out of your head.”

CBD, on the other hand, is non-intoxicating. It’s touted as a highly effective method for treating various complex ailments, such as epilepsy and arthritis. And many women are turning to CBD as an effective way to manage the symptoms of PMS.

You can also find products that contain both THC and CBD. These are referred to as ratio products. When THC and CBD are consumed together they produce an entirely different cannabis experience. THC elevates the medicinal effects of CBD, and CBD balances the cerebral effects of THC.

REASONS FOR CONSUMING

Knowing your reason for consuming cannabis will help your budtender recommend the optimal consumption method and dosage for you. You may partake in cannabis for medical reasons, i.e., to treat chronic pain, help you get a full night’s sleep, or manage symptoms of anxiety or depression. Or perhaps you’re interested in enjoying cannabis recreationally. Many are switching their after-work glass of wine for an edible because they have found that it is easier on their wallet and healthier for both their mind and body.

As mentioned above, THC produces psychoactive effects which are commonly known as a high. It’s helpful to know how high you want to feel before speaking with your budtender, or whether you want to feel high at all. If you’d like to avoid a psychoactive cannabis experiences, choose a CBD product. There are also micro- and low-dose options that allow you to reap the medicinal benefits of cannabis while providing mildly uplifting and elevating effects. The more open and honest you are with your budtender about the effects you’re seeking, the more likely you’ll be to achieve them.

LEVEL OF DISCRETION

Cannabis is certainly becoming more widely accepted as legalization propels it into mainstream culture. However, cannabis still has a few negative stigmas to overcome. Many still associate cannabis with the lazy stoner stereotype, despite the movers and shakers who defy that myth daily.

If you’re interested in trying cannabis but are apprehensive because there may be some lingering stigma associated with it, edibles make a great choice. For one, you don’t have to worry about highly visible smoke fumes. And, you don’t have to worry about smelling like cannabis. 3Leaf edibles are infused with THC distillate, which is void of terpenes. The terpenes are what give cannabis its smell and taste. Without them our edibles simply smell and taste like regular food. Each of our edibles are sealed in child-proof and tamper-proof packaging. It’s both easy and safe to take an entire jar or bag of 3Leaf with you to get you through a weekend with your parents, or to enjoy on a hike with friends. Because our edibles are individually wrapped, you can easily grab one or two before heading out the door to conquer your day.

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3 Reasons Why Edibles Are the Perfect Choice for New Consumers

Humans are hardwired to care about what others think – we are predisposed to seek validation so that we can feel good about ourselves. We can say over and over that we do not care about the opinions of others, and some of us might not care what most people think, but we all have at least one person that we want to impress or make proud, one person that we do not want to disappoint.

Cannabis has been a source of disappointment for many parents, friends, teachers, employers, and coaches throughout history. This sense of disappointment upon discovering that a person you care about is consuming cannabis stems from a deep-rooted misunderstanding of the plant and the people who partake in its benefits. In the early 20th century, Reefer Madness and other federal propaganda painted cannabis as a mind-numbing gateway drug. Still to this day, cannabis in the United States is categorized as a Schedule 1 substance, which puts it in the same classification as heroin. This narrative gave way to the stoner stigma, which says that cannabis consumers are lazy and unmotivated. But, as people from all walks of life – parents, professional athletes, and senior executives of multi-million dollar companies alike – begin to speak up about cannabis and how they enjoy its various benefits, we see that the gateway drug and stoner moniker do not ring true.

As the veil lifts, more consumers are finding that they can enjoy cannabis without having to worry about being subjected to any judgement from others.

The legalization of adult-use in California on January 1 of this year increased accessibility to cannabis, and piqued the interest of those who want to discover cannabis and its various medicinal properties for themselves. Many would like to introduce cannabis into their life, but remain unsure of where to start. Some are curious about how it will affect them, while others are still worried about judgement from family, friends, or colleagues. If you are looking for a safe and effective way to introduce cannabis into your life, edibles from licensed manufacturers make a great choice. Here’s why:

A CONTROLLED CANNABIS EXPERIENCE

Under California law, edibles must contain no more than 10 milligrams of THC per serving. When you purchase an edible with a label that says it contains 2.5 mg, 5 mg, or 10 mg of THC per serving, you can rest assured that your edible will contain that amount.

Edibles that are not compliant with California’s dosage regulations cannot be sold in licensed retail locations.

The strict regulations that accompanied the legalization of adult-use on January 1, and the further regulations introduced on July 1 have allowed edibles to become the ideal option for consistent dosing. It’s easier to eat the same size edible that contains a reliable and trusted dosage than it is to roll the same size joint containing the same amount of flower from the same strain of cannabis, and consume the same amount by taking the same size pull. We’ll stick to unwrapping an edible and continuing about our day.

DISCREET CONSUMPTION

Edibles provide a discreet way to partake in cannabis. 3Leaf edibles in particular contain cleanly extracted THC or CBD distillate that is void of terpenes, the compound that gives cannabis its taste and smell. When you eat one of our Strawberry or Blood Orange Fruit Jellies, or our Quinoa Granola Bites or Coconut Oatmeal Cookies, all you’ll taste is the delicious ingredients. You’ll have no need to worry about smelling like cannabis when you arrive at wherever you need to be.

Another benefit to edibles is the fact that they are sealed in compact packaging. It’s easy to put a container of 3Leaf in your gym bag, or fit a bag of our Fruit Jellies in your purse. If you prefer to take one or two edibles for your day, 3Leaf edibles comes individually wrapped, making it easy to grab and go!

LOW COST, LOW COMMITMENT

3Leaf’s new all-natural Fruit Jellies in particular are a great introduction to cannabis. They are one of the only products available in California that cost less than $10 per package. And, each package contains four fruit jellies, so you don’t have to make a significant commitment the first time you decide to try cannabis.

Our Strawberry Fruit Jellies contain 2.5 mg of THC distillate per piece, and our Blood Orange Fruit Jellies contain 5 mg of THC distillate per piece. A micro- or low-dose is the best place to start when introducing cannabis into your life. In the Leafly article, Microdosing With Cannabis: The Benefits Without the Buzz, Dr. Michele Ross, founder of IMPACT Network says, “If you are given a product that is 2.5 milligrams, you are much less likely to have a bad experience. So I think micro-dosing is really the best way to introduce new people to cannabis.”

It really is the perfect time to try cannabis. While certain people may still judge those who partake in cannabis, there is without-a-doubt a cultural shift taking place that is moving towards the acceptance and appreciation of cannabis. This is in part because of California’s strict regulations that give consumers access to safe cannabis products from licensed manufacturers and retailers. It’s much more likely to have a consistent and effective cannabis experience from the edibles offered today. And now there are so many more delicious and healthy options for edibles that contain a dosage that will meet your needs – you’re sure to find something that fits your lifestyle.

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